JACK NICKLAUS BACKS TIGER WOODS FOR A MAJOR MOVE

ABOVE: Tiger Woods is the firm favourite going into the US Open

Tiger is the man to beat, forget about last week.

Jack Nicklaus

9th June 2013

By Tony Stenson

JACK NICKLAUS thinks Tiger Woods will move a step closer to matching his haul of 18 Major victories by winning this week’s US Open.

Woods is just four short of equalling the legendary Nicklaus’ record – but has not tasted Major success since 2008.

Despite being tipped for glory at Merion by the Golden Bear, Woods’ preparation has been far from ideal.

At the Memorial Tournament last week, the world No.1 finished 20 shots behind winner Matt Kuchar in a tie for 65th place – one of the worst results of his career.

Nicklaus, though, thinks form counts for little in the run-up to such a big event.

He said: “Tiger is the man to beat, forget about last week.

“The last time I won the US Open I shot 72-79 the week before and missed the cut – then I went and broke US Open records.

“So I wouldn’t read too much into that. It’s his type of course, not too long but tough and it needs the kind of play Tiger produces.”

Three-time US Open winner Woods is not worried about his game, despite last week’s horror show.

He said: “It happens to all of us. You want everything to click, you want to be firing on all cylinders, especially at the US Open, because everything is tested in the US Open.”

Next Sunday, the final day of this year’s event, will be the five-year anniversary of Woods’ last Major success, the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.

But the bookies make Woods the clear favourite to add to his tally of 14 Major titles.

The man one place behind him in the rankings is Rory McIlroy – but his golf this season has not been up to the usual standard of a world No.2.

The 2011 US Open champion has been in a season-long slump and has not won a single event all year.

The Northern Ireland ace insists, though, that his game is close to ­falling into place.

One man who is backed to do well this week is Masters champion Adam Scott.

The big Aussie, ranked No.3 in the world, has the game and mentality to win at Merion.

And the top trio will be able to keep an eye on each other, as they have been drawn in the same group in the opening two rounds.

Graeme McDowell has fond memories of the US Open after winning it three years ago.

But, after missing the cut at The Masters, The Players’ ­Championship and recently the PGA ­Championship, he needs to improve his game if he wants to secure a second US Open title.